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Because when you’re living in one room, you’ve gotta be extra savvy with your setup.

As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.

Moving into a dorm for the first time is new and exciting...until you start thinking about all the room you *won't* have. College life means you're on a budget and living in a tiny space with at least one other human (who's possibly a stranger), so there are certain things to consider. Like, how are you going to handle under-bed storage so you can still access it, but it doesn't look like an episode of Hoarders? Or how are you going to survive lofting your bed without having to climb up and down a million times each night at bedtime? Well, I sourced some solutions for you that you'll probably be very glad you considered before move-in day. 

Promising review: "I’m used to a super soft pillow top mattress back home and needed a topper for my hard dorm mattress. This beat all my expectations! It made a hard mattress super soft. I love the cooling cause I’m naturally hot at night. It has a nice thickness to it for added comfort. I have a full XL mattress (full width but queen length) and the queen pad fit perfectly. I was going to get a super expensive mattress topper ($200+), but I'm glad I got this! Worth it! The only complaint is that the bamboo wording on the pad is annoying if you have white sheets like me. Not a big deal, but recommend the company maybe redesign so it’s on the sides or something." —Kate

Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in six colors and larger sizes).

Doz by Sijo is a small biz specialzing in bedding and pillows. 

Promising review: "I was worried that these pillows may be too firm when I saw them. I was wrong. I had been having terrible neck pain for months, and the first night I slept on this pillow, I woke up pain free. I’ve slept better than I have in years since buying these! Great pillows and great value." —Kristin

Promising review: "When my daughter moved into her dorm the only word I can use to describe would be moist. After using Damp Rid, that problem cleared up without a mess. Easy to use for college kids. Just hang and go. No mess clean up. Toss when full." —Melissa Hlavenka

"A necessity for dorms. Collects moisture! Just hang and leave alone. collects moisture." —Kelly Christie

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $16.99.

AROEVE is a small biz specializing in air purifiers.

There are lots of other air purifiers on the market that are pricier and even larger, but this is a budget-conscious story, folks! 

Promising review: "Bought this for my dorm room and have been using it since. I love the different settings that it comes with. I also have an oil part that I put peppermint oil in, and it makes my room smell great. It's not super big, so it won't take up too much space wherever you choose to put it." —Tiana

"When my kid moved into his dorm room, it smelled, and the air was fetid. The room is small with no airflow, and gets stinky quickly. After a couple of hours with this on, the smell was gone, the air felt fresh, and it was a much better environment. It is small enough that it fits into his small room without taking up too much space, and it has held up well for over six months. It's easy to use and powerful for its size. The fan runs quietly." —Enchanting Mama

Promising review: "I bought this for my dorm bed, and it fits perfectly. Def recommend getting on if you don't have one already, plus the bed looks wayyyy better with a skirt on it." —TaylorVon

Get it from Amazon for $24.49+ (available in 13 colors and other sizes).

Promising review: "These smartbulbs were really easy to connect and set up with Alexa. The colors are bright, the app works well, and I like being able to change the lighting depending on my mood. They respond quickly to voice commands and have worked great so far without disconnecting. Definitely a good value for the price if you want fun lighting for a bedroom, living room, or gaming setup." —Stephanie

At this point, I own five sets of these and even pack them to use in hotels while traveling! I've def left a few accidentally while traveling, but it wasn't as big of a deal because they're so cheap to replace. 

My colleague Maitland Quitmeyer is also a big fan: "This is my go-to satin pillowcase. I have two Slip pillowcases, and several of these, and actually the Bedsure ones wash up much nicer and retain an incredibly silky smooth feel after dozens of trips through the laundry. They're the only ones I'll buy going forward, and I recommended them to my mom and now she's in love with them too!"

Promising review: "My hair has never been better! I got this because of TikTok and it has done wonders for my hair. My hair isn’t frizzy or dull looking when I get up in the morning." —Aaron Key

Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 37 colors and five sizes).

Promising review: "These carpet grippers are easy to use. Grips to the floor and now there's no movement on my big area rug. It doesn’t harm my wood floor. If I need to pick it up to clean, no problem. Safe for my husband, who was tripping on the corners before. Great for older folks. Quality is great. Holds and durable. Finally, you don’t see them once down." —Marilyn

Check out a TikTok of the projection alarm clock in action. 

Promising review: "The projection on this clock is sublime. If I am sleeping on my side and turned away from the clock, I merely have to cock my head to see what time it is rather than waking up to turn over and look at the clock. I am buying a second clock for my second bedroom. The design is nonintrusive and takes up very little space on my nightstand." —Sheryl S. 

Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in five styles).

Promising review: "One of my new favorite decor pieces. I put these on the mantel, and they immediately enhanced the space. They look great on or off, and I'll definitely be purchasing more for a few other spaces in my home!" —Autumn Thompson

Get three from Amazon for $9.79 (available in three colors and four quantities).

Also check out some jarless, flameless candles or flameless votives if you already have containers you adore!

Promising review: "I live in a small dorm room and it's perfect. This was perfect as I am someone who owns a TON OF SHOES. I am able to hang it right off the end of my bed and put all my shoes on it to get it off the floor. It is perfect for storage and especially if you need to save every inch of space you have to." —Nevara

Get it from Amazon for $8.97+ (available in seven colors). 

I bought a similar one from Ikea back in ~2012 (it's currently priced there for $10 more than this Amazon one) and it's stayed with me ever since. I currently use it as a bar cart but I've seen these carts used for every kind of storage imaginable!

Promising review: "This cart was extremely easy to assemble by myself with no help. The instructions were clear and I put it together in about 30 minutes. It is cute and holds quite a lot of things. I use it in my college dorm and it’s amazing for holding random items. The wheels are great for moving the cart around." —Kacey

Get it from Amazon for $29.89+ (available in five colors and in a slim or wide design). 

Promising review: "You get twice the amount of space in your closet. Highly recommend them for neat freaks and small closet spaces." —Kinsley P

Get 50 flocked hangers on Amazon for $20.98 (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "I love these hangers. I am able to save so much space in my closet! They are sturdy and very well made." —Danielle Hinshaw

Promising review: "This product is exactly what I was hoping for. It’s great quality. Looks so chic. Such a nice way to dress up a household necessity. Definitely worth it." —Kaylee

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in three sizes and 13 colors). Also check out a plain faux-leather tissue box, also under $10!

Promising review: "Flowers are about 2–3 inches. Very good looking. Feels like silk. Hold their shape well." —Christianfl

Get two bunches from Amazon for $9.99 (available in nine colors and larger quantities).

But if peonies aren't exactly your style, here are more under-$10 options: eucalyptus, and 100-piece natural-dried pampas 

These have a built-in magnet that'll stick on most metals, or you can use the included adhesive tape to tape them onto an existing surface.

Promising review: "My dorm is super super dark, and my closet is no exception. These were able to be placed on the sides of my door frame and were super easy to assemble. I would absolutely recommend!!" —J. Morse

Get it from Amazon for $19.78+ (available in two sizes and in warm or white light).

Many reviewers said they find themselves drinking more water when they have a straw.

Promising review: "Please do not run out to Targé and waste your money on a Stanley IF you’re only using a cup for ice/cold drinks. This cup is just as good and far more affordable. I put ice in my cup over 24 hours ago during my shift at the hospital, and there is still ice in the cup! This product is BEYOND worth it at this price point. You won’t be disappointed. If the cup isn’t in your cart at this point, I don’t know what’s wrong with you: GET IT! 😂" —Marie

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in 33 colors and patterns). Also available in a style without the handle!

I live in an apartment without a dishwasher, and I honestly use that as an excuse to order takeout food instead of cooking. But, as soon as I got my hands on a bottle of this stuff (regular Dawn is my go-to dish soap, BTW), I put it to use on both a saucepan I used to make homemade enchilada sauce *and* the casserole dish I baked those enchiladas, which had a ton of caked-on food. It really does work like I say it does! Like, scary well.

Promising review: "I was introduced to this application of Dawn by my dorm-dwelling eldest child. Dang! I've been using the liquid version for so long, I never noticed the introduction of the spray. As I live alone, using the liquid concentrate can be a bit wasteful. Especially when considering washing individual items and not drawing a full sink of water. The spray is so easy to use for single items and is just as effective as conventional Dawn products." —JD Stretch

Get the starter pack from Amazon for $16.88.

Promising review: "Great variety pack. Bought for a dorm room and hasn’t disappointed. Durable plastic, and a good size. I like that the box is built in storage." —Michael Mills

Promising review: "Perfect for travel. I have one in my carry-on and the second in my computer bag. You can easily coil them up and tuck them into a side pocket. So far, they work very well and seem durable. I love the fact that you have all your bases covered with the USB-C, Lightning, and Apple Watch charger." —Jane

Get it from Amazon for $11.04+ (available in nine colors and packs of two). 

And consider a foldable 3-in-1 charger in the same spirit for your bag you carry around campus. 

Promising review: "My favorite blanket purchase ever! You know when you purchase a blanket that is so soft and thick like fur. It keeps you very warm, and then you get something on it and have to wash and dry it for the first time. This is the true test, will it come out the same? I am very happy to share it did!! It looks and feels exactly the same. Great purchase!" —Linz

Get it from Amazon for $37.99+ (available in 11 colors and three sizes). 

Check out a TikTok of the reading pillow in action. 

Promising review: "I’m loving my new pillow. It has been the best money I have spent on an item. I’m a reader and love that this pillow gives me good support. It stays firm. It’s a good-sized pillow. It gives good support for your shoulders and neck. It doesn’t weigh too much, and it is thick. It doesn’t make you hot at night when you’re asleep or when you’re just reading. I love that you can use it in so many different ways. I have even used it to hold my laptop when I’m working." —Malone

Get it from Amazon for $39.72+ (clip the coupon on the product page for this price; available in three colors).

According to Johns Hopkins, you may want to avoid diffusing oils around larger groups and young children because of the side effects of different oils. You may also want to avoid using an oil diffuser around pets with breathing problems, according to the ASPCA.

Promising review: "This is the most beautiful and calming aromatherapy oil diffuser I have seen. This is incredibly easy to use and features various timer buttons that can be shut off at your discretion. I love to watch its realistic 'flame' effect. The scent emits wonderfully. It also looks beautiful in my home. This was a great value for the price and great quality." —Amanda

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six styles). 

Promising review: "One of the most useful items I have ever purchased. The pockets are the right size to hold a tablet, phone, remote, or book. My bedroom is too small for bedside tables so I use this organizer to hold anything that I might need right by my bed. I was surprised at how well it stay in place just by sliding the flat end in between the mattress and box spring." —Hannah

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (also available in several styles).

Unfortunately, this kit's bandages are only available in a light beige color. If you're looking for more skintone variation, please check out these.

The kit comes with different sizes of bandages (fabric and plastic), a rescue blanket, antibiotic ointment, aspirin tablets, a packet of burn gel, wound closures, antiseptic towels, cold pack, gauze roll, cotton-tipped applicators, a disposable thermometer, extra-strength non-aspirin tablets, finger splint, first aid guide, first aid tape, moleskin blister prevention, disposable gloves, scissors, sterile eye pads, gauze pads, a trauma pad, sting relief wipes, and a set of tweezers.

Promising review: "I have ordered this time and time again. When I first got my car, moved into a dorm, and worked at summer camp, I could go on and on. I've probably ordered eight of them. This is my favorite first aid kit, which is a weird thing to say, but it has things that more expensive ones don't have, and the organization of it is great! It fits easily into a backpack, dry bag, or glove compartment." —Mollie

Get it from Amazon for $17.44+ (available in two kit sizes).

Promising review: "A dorm necessity. This is my first experience using a steamer, and I loved it! I got the wrinkles out of my clothes that had been sitting on my bed all week, and it did it with ease. I especially like the fact that it is less of a fire hazard than an iron, and it’s design is cute and simple. I tested it out at home because I was preparing for dorm life, and it was easy to transfer because of its size. It gives off a good amount of heat, but also dries/cools down pretty quickly. I can see myself using this a lot as a new college student." —Hollis Miller

This reviewer uses it to make their bedding look extra crisp!

Promising review: "I prefer the Downy over other wrinkle-releaser sprays because of how well it works, and I like the fresh scent. They are full-sized bottles, so I keep one at home, and my daughter has one in her dorm room. I consider them too large for travel. Good alternative when you can’t or don’t want to iron." —jporter

Get a set of two from Amazon for $11.99.

Read our full review of these desktop shelves!

Promising review: "I originally bought a huge hutch and it just wasn't going to work. So I got this one for a super reasonable price. Very easy to assemble and the perfect size for a dorm desk. Love it!" —Tiffany Cox

Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in four finishes).

Promising review: "My desk drawer was always messy no matter how many times I tidied it. These keep things in their place nicely. I recommend." —RoseannB916

"It was really useful for getting everything organized in my dorm room!" —Mrunmayee

Promising review: "So comfortable and they look cozy and cute! Love these slippers. Purchased for my daughter to wear around her dorm room, perfect!" —Mel

"I love them! It's been a cold winter, and my feet are finally warm. Love the rubber sole for warmth from the cold floor or for an outside trip." —Donna Hildebrand

Get them from Amazon for $18.68+ (available in women's sizes 5/6–11/12 and 10 colors).

And check out a similar loafer style in men's sizes.

Promising review: "My college dorm barely has any accessible outlets, and this is PERFECT for plugging in everything I need. The flat end fits behind my desk while still having the desk against the wall, and it makes the outlets so much easier to access. I got two, one for each side of my room, and I never run out of places to plug a cord in. It charges my headphones, phone, and runs my TV all with different cable types. Exactly what I needed and very good for dorms where outlets are inconvenient to use." —Marian

I'm also a huge fan of this smaller Anker travel power strip that I use in my apartment.

Reviewers use the front pocket for detergent and other laundry essentials. 

Promising review: "Bought a red one 2.5 years ago and so far it continues to be durable. Both the red and light blue bags look like the photos. We have been using our old one at least once a week. I just bought another one so my fiancée and I wouldn’t need to share. We’ve found that using this backpack-style laundry bag is much safer than carrying a laundry basket down our rickety apartment stairs. We have a medium-sized washer, and the bag fits more than a full load of laundry. Our washer can fit about 3.6 cubic feet of clothes, while a larger front-load washer might fit up to 4–5 cubic feet, so if you have a big washer, check to make sure it’s the right size." —V

"Easy for if you’re in a dorm apartment and you have to take your clothes to the laundry room." —Ametria

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in 12 designs).

Promising review: "I recently switched to Tide Pods now that I’m in college, and carrying a couple of pods down to the basement is easier than lugging a whole thing of detergent down. I love that they’re unscented and not dyed, it’s much more gentle on my skin. Even though it’s unscented, I can tell my clothes are getting cleaned just as well. Plus, I only use one or two per load, so the large drum of them is very cost-effective. Cheaper than my local stores as well." —isabel

Plus, lots of people use it in condos and houses, so it'll be handy post-dorm life, too!

Promising review: "This is bigger than I thought it would be, but I love it. I use this to dry clothes that are not for the dryer, and it fits a good amount of clothes at once. It is great for my dorm room as it becomes very compact when I want to put it away. I really like this product and have made great use of it." —Yoshi

Get it from Amazon for $32.54+ (available in a white or chrome finish). 

Promising review: "For those not fully familiar with how it works, what it's accomplishing is trying to surround your liquid with as much ice-behind-metal as possible. So, it has a center chamber of ice behind the metal, then an outer chamber of ice. The inner chamber fits inside the outer with about a cup's worth of space that's between the inner and outer chamber. This exposes your liquid to the greatest surface area of super-cold metal that they can, and since your liquid is only touching metal, and not the ice itself, it doesn't matter the temperature of the liquid poured in. You can pour in boiling water and while it may end up melting a bunch of the ice behind the metal, none of that water will mix with your drink. So, whether you're chilling a wine, dropping hot coffee to cool it off, or just wanting to rapidly drop the temp of that fresh lemonade you made without making it watery, this will get that done." —P. Ericksen

"Best thing ever for my dorm room with limited fridge space!" —Nicole

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors).

My colleague Kayla Boyd is a huge fan: "This little astronaut guy is such a cool piece of decor. I love that it's not boring-looking when it's turned off. And when it's on, it's honestly pretty mesmerizing! I love a good aesthetic ~vibe~, and this totally transforms my living room at night. I always turn it on when I'm relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine and a good show. It's also a big hit when my friends come over to hang out."

Check out a TikTok of the projector in action. 

Promising review: "I bought this after seeing it on TikTok. I wasn’t sure how great it would be, and the price was a little high for me, but I bought it anyway. After getting it and seeing how badass it is, I would definitely say it’s worth the money!! The lights are so cool and bright. My kids and husband love it!" —Shelby Fulford

"I bought this for my daughter’s dorm room. She and her suite mates love it." —Cynthia O

Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in seven colors).

Promising review: "I'm in a dorm, so unless I want even more fees, I am using these. They do their job and none of them have fallen yet, in fact, these have stuck to the wall better than the Command strips did (make sure to clean the wall and to let it dry for a minute instead of being a dumbo like me)." —Moe K.

"Used for my dorm. Hanging several days' worth of clothes on, hanging up a laundry line to dry clothes on, and more. Works perfectly, nice and big, holds lots of weight, and holds up well. No issues here." —tiloch12

And if you really wanna get next level, you can even label each bin!

Promising review: "I bought the two larger sizes (27 gallons and 16 gallons) to mix and match my student's needs. The containers seem sturdy, well-made, and the drawer stops before falling out. Much better for under-bed storage than bins that have a top cover. The clear sides are a nice feature. You can see what is in which bin. Sterilite is always great quality (I've had some for decades) and the price is reasonable." —Sharon VItale

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $43.39 (available in larger packs).

You can use these for so much more than clothing! Think school supplies, extra toiletries, shoes...basically whatever you have too much of.

Promising review: "These storage bags are fantastic. I live in a small apartment where storage space is at a premium. I use these to store my Costco toilet paper and paper towels, so I don't need to make as many trips to the store. It keeps them in pristine condition and out of sight. The handles make them easy to pull in and out, and they fold up nicely when not in use. I'm thinking about getting two more since four will fit under my queen bed." —Kimberly Dorn

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in seven styles).

Promising review: "Got this three years ago for my dorm room, and it’s still in great condition. The LED lights are awesome, dimmable as well. It can lean back suuuuuper far, though I always have it upright. Only complaint is the color. Is more of a metallic reddish pink. Not a true rosey gold." —B

Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in seven colors).

Handy Cute Art is a Florida-based Etsy shop that specializes in quirky home products. 

Promising review: "These are the cutest ever! My daughter ate these guys [a lot] growing up. Great reminder gift of her fave snack food!" —Teresa A Houtz

Get a set of six from Handy Cute Art on Etsy for $10.20 (originally $12). 

I've used a couple of different scents of these and am actually working my way through a lovely gardenia version. They indeed get rid of funky smells like roasting Brussels sprouts, bathroom smells, and even your neighbor's wafting odors. 

Promising review: "This inexpensive fan is a powerhouse, even at the lowest setting! Great for hot dorm rooms." —Christina Morefeld

And if you want to pay a little more, TikTokers are definitely into Woozoo fans right now. 

This beaut includes a built-in crevice tool, translucent bagless dirt bowl, and a washable filter. And it charges on a wall-mount. 

Promising review: "It sucks! (In a good way.) We tried a few less expensive hand-held vacuums for our cars and our son's dorm room. The suction power was not acceptable. That is, until we went back to Black and Decker. It easily picks up all kinds of debris on the floor, counters, and under the sink. (People can't seem to put trash in the can.) It is a great investment, not just a simple purchase. Don't waste your time with the cheaper alternatives." —D. Phillips

Made by Stephen is an Amber, Pennsylvania–based shop specializing in cup holders. 

Get it from Made by Stephen on Etsy for $28 (available in 12 colors and five mounting options).

Light Dims is a small biz specializing in this product. 

Promising review: "I bought these to put on the LED on my external hard drive because it was very bright and it worked great. The whole thing was smaller than I thought but it's great to cover up some small LEDs if they really bother you." —F. M.

Get a sheet of 100 from Amazon for $5.48.

If you need to cover up bigger light sources, check out larger dimming sheets.

Get them from Amazon: 40-pack Frito-Lay chips pack for $23.79 and a 16-pack of Easy Mac for $17.94.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.